PhD Position in Protein Engineering and Catalytic Biomaterials Biomolecular Nanotechnology Group
Published: 18/08/2026
Deadline: 30/09/2026
Envisaged Job Starting Date:

Please note the starting date is estimated to be from December 2026 to April 2027. Starting date: the first day of the corresponding month

The project SmartCat “Engineered Protein–Metal Hybrids for Smart Catalytic Biomaterials” is funded by the Spanish Research Agency (AEI). The project aims to develop a new generation of engineered protein–metal hybrid catalysts and catalytic biomaterials capable of performing new-to-nature chemical transformations under mild and sustainable conditions.

The PhD candidate will work on the design and engineering of protein scaffolds with tailored metal-binding and catalytic properties to generate artificial metalloproteins and metalloenzymes with programmable catalytic activities. These protein–metal hybrids will be integrated into supramolecular architectures and biomaterials to investigate how their organization influences catalytic performance. The project will also explore stimuli-responsive elements to develop smart catalytic biomaterials with externally controlled activity.

The project is highly multidisciplinary and combines protein design and engineering, protein biochemistry and biophysics, bioinorganic chemistry, nanotechnology, supramolecular biomaterials and catalysis. The project will be carried out at CIC biomaGUNE, a multidisciplinary and international research institute in San Sebastian, Spain, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and a highly collaborative research environment at the interface of chemistry, biology, nanotechnology and materials science.

 

Required Education Level:

Candidates should hold a Master's degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Nanoscience/Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Bioengineering or a related discipline. 

Candidates who are currently completing a Master’s degree may also apply. By the date of incorporation, the selected candidate must have completed the relevant qualification, meet the academic requirements for admission to the doctoral programme, and be admitted to and enrolled in that programme. The expected incorporation date will be between December 2026 and April 2027. Candidates must not hold a doctoral degree at the time of incorporation

Required Skills/Qualifications:

Previous experience in protein chemistry, protein expression and purification, protein engineering, biophysical characterization, bioinorganic chemistry, nanomaterial synthesis, supramolecular biomaterials and/or catalysis would be highly valuable but is not mandatory.

The candidate is expected to work in a multidisciplinary and international environment. Good interpersonal skills, motivation for experimental research, and written and oral communication skills in English are required.

This position is funded by the project PID2025-175536OB-I00 granted by the Spanish State Research Agency and is intended for the completion of a doctoral thesis associated with the project. The predoctoral contract is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), where applicable.

Selection criteria: in accordance with the criteria established in the PID 2025 Call. Maximum score: 100 points.

1. Academic and/or scientific and technical track record: up to 50 points

1.a. Academic record and scientific and technical contributions: up to 45 points. The following elements will be assessed:

  • academic record and relevance of the qualifications obtained;
  • scientific and technical contributions, considering their quality and relevance rather than solely their quantity;
  • participation in research projects, conferences, publications and other relevant research activities;
  • other curricular achievements relevant to the position; and
  • relevance of the applicant’s academic background, training and research or professional experience to the duties and research activities associated with the position.

1.b. Mobility and internationalisation: up to 5 points. Research, training or professional stays at national or international research centres and/or in industry will be assessed according to their relevance, duration, activities undertaken and contribution to the applicant’s research training. Mobility will be assessed considering the applicant’s career stage and individual circumstances, so that the absence of mobility does not in itself result in disproportionate disadvantage.

2. Suitability for the proposed research activities: up to 50 points

The applicant’s suitability for carrying out the proposed research programme, project and activities will be assessed on the basis of:

  • the relevance of their academic background and prior training;
  • their knowledge, competencies and research experience in relation to the proposed activities;
  • the consistency of their research interests with the objectives and methodology of the project;
  • the potential contribution of the project to the applicant’s research training and career development; and
  • the contribution that the applicant could make to the host centre, the research project and the research team.

The assessment will be based on the documentation submitted by the applicants and, where applicable, on a structured interview conducted under the same conditions and using the same assessment parameters for all shortlisted applicants.

Duration:

The successful candidate will be hired by CIC biomaGUNE with a full-time contract for 4 years (in case the candidate has been hired with a previous predoctoral contract, this previous time will be deducted from the 4-year contract)

Project Funding:

SmartCat - PID2025-175536OB-I00 - (Spanish Research Agency - AEI)

Informal Inquiries:

Informal requests for additional information can be sent to Aitziber López Cortajarena at alcortajarena@cicbiomagune.es

Applications sent directly to the emails listed above will be NOT be accepted.

Equal opportunities Policy:

CIC biomaGUNE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to: age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by European, national, or local law.

Open Transparent and Merit Based Recruitment Policy:

You can check here CIC biomaGUNE OTM-R Policy.

How To Apply:

Submit your application with a motivation letter stating why you are interested in this position, your CV, the contact details of two academics who can provide a reference using the "Apply to this Job Offer" button.

Apply Job Offer